Officials discuss options after Elsie Dam collapse
There has been a temporary fix to the August 17, 2023 failure of the Elsie dam; and it will continue to be monitored.
Charles Smith, Spicer Group, updated officials on the timeline of the dam
failure. Responding at 10 a.m. Friday, August 18, 2023 numerous services
were activated. Fisher Contracting mobilized to the site to prevent further deterioration of the site.
At the Special Board meeting on Saturday, August 19 the Deplain Township voted to stabilize the site at a cost of approximately $5,000 and to extend the contract with Fisher Construction for one week to monitor the site.
Mitchell Thelen, EGLE discussed the environmental impact, and said that at this point there had been no significant impact. Down stream there is a protected species, the snu box muscle; so the action taken was crucial.
The Board voted to enter into an agreement with Spicer Group, Inc. to help create options for the Township and the dam.
There will be a Special Board Meeting on Tuesday, August 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Township hall on West Mail in Elsie to discuss the options. Minutes of the Special Board Meetings and regular Township meetings are posted on the township’s website.
Elvis returns for Concert in the Park August 30
Concert in the Park audiences who’ve loved Matt King’s Elvis Presley Tribute Show the past 13 seasons are waiting for the Hound Dog to return. Well, the wait is almost over as King “is” Elvis in the August 30 show at the William E. Tennant Performance Shell located in the beautiful St. Johns City Park. The show begins at 7 p.m.
“We’re pleased to have Matt King back again as Elvis,” says Performance Shell Committee Chairperson Bill Tennant. “Our audiences love him! His appearance is one of the most popular of the season each year – a show that everyone thoroughly enjoys!”
A Michigan resident, Matt has traveled throughout the United States and Europe entertaining audiences with his unique ability to bring to the “King” to life via his moves, mannerisms, looks and costuming – and, of course, that distinctive voice. Matt’s incredible voice has a range of three and a half octaves. He is one of the World’s Top-Ranked Elvis Tribute Artists having won over 35 contests over the years.
And a reminder that there will be one additional concert added to the series, which will be held on Wednesday, September 6. This is a concert that is being rescheduled from earlier in the year when poor air quality caused the LCB Big Band Jazz group to cancel. Hope you can also make it for that performance too.
All concerts are sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns. They are open to the public free of charge – donations are graciously accepted and needed.
All concerts are presented rain or shine. The Lion’s Club food trailer is available at the concerts. The CCAC receives funding from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Local man killed in crash on M-52
Michael Riley, 60, from St. Johns died Tuesday afternoon, when investigators say he missed a stop sign and crashed into a pickup truck.
The Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Office discovered the crash at M-52 and Bennington Road around 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. At the time deputies were responding to reports of a separate crash.
Riley was riding a motorcycle west on Bennington Road when he ran a stop sign and slammed into the side of a pickup truck traveling south on M-52. This information is based on witness statements at the scene. An ambulance rushed him to Memorial Healthcare in Owosso, where he was pronounced dead of his injuries
A celebration of Michael’s life will be held on Sunday, August 27 from 2 – 6 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Laingsburg.
Chalk It UP coming September 14
The Art & Soul Gallery is happily hosting the annual Chalk It Up sidewalk chalk art contest during this year’s Fall FEASTival.
Share your artistic flair in the outdoor air on the pavement or chalkboard of your choice, and flaunt your creative style for a chance to win fun prizes. Draw with your family, friends (up to 4 people) or just your beautiful self.
All ages are welcome. Artists may begin drawing on Thursday the 14th as early as 8:00 a.m. and all artists must complete their artwork by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday the 16th for voting/ judging.
Sponsor information and sign up is here.
Historical Society presents the Orphan Train September 14
The story of the orphan train will be presented on September 14, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at AgroLiquid, 3055 W. M-21, St. Johns.
The Orphan Train Movement was a supervised welfare program that transported children from crowded Eastern cities of the United States to foster homes located largely in rural areas of the Mid-west. The orphan trains operated between 1854 and 1929, relocating from about 200,000 children.
The speaker, Shirley Gage Hodges has been actively doing genealogical research since 1967. Although Shirley specializes in tracing your female ancestors, she covers a wide variety of topics. She has presented lectures, seminars, and workshops locally and regionally both in the U.S. and Canada. Her full resume can be found at:https://globalgenealogy.com/globalgazette/authors/authsh.htm
Special dedication of Sports Building coming up August 31
You are cordially invited to join the St. Johns Rotary Club in a special dedication ceremony for the Sports Building at Saint Johns High School, in honor of the esteemed Don Rademacher on August 31, 2023.
The Tailgate and Dedication will be held at 6 p.m. followed by the first home football game of the season at 7:00 p.m.
Forever in Our Hearts: Don was a generous, hard working, civic minded man who served the community he loved in many roles. He participated as the President of Rotary, a Charter member and President of Firstbank, he was Chairman of the Board at Clinton Memorial Hospital, President of the Cemetery Board, delivered for Meals on Wheels, was on the Sparrow Clinton Foundation Board, he was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and served as an usher, he was on the St. Joseph Church Finance Council, was a Bill Patton Award Recipient, was on the FC Mason Board and helped with Habitat for Humanity.
Vermilion Creek Colonial Gathering begins September 30
The 5th annual Vermilion Creek Colonial Gathering sponsored by the Queen’s Rangers – 1st American Regiment, Highland Company will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 30 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Sunday October 1. at Peacock Farms.
This is a Colonial Period (1750-1800) Living History Encampment that will include: historical demonstrations of period life skills, including: cooking, craftspeople, music, medical practitioners and the evolution of farming techniques over the past two centuries; along with artillery firing and mock battle scenarios.
Take a wagon ride back to the pumpkin patch or stop by the petting zoo while you enjoy the beauty of Autumn in rural Michigan. Fun and educational for the whole family as you glimpse life at the time of our nation’s founding and interact with Living historians portraying Native American, French, British and American soldiers and settlers of the colonial period.
For more information or advance tickets go to: https://peacockrff.com/